Concussions can happen to anyone at any time. It is estimated that there are 1.6-3.8 million concussions each year. They can happen in sports like soccer and football, or they can happen from a car accident or a slip and fall.​

Normal symptoms are headaches, nausea, vomiting, poor balance, sensitivity to light, fatigue, poor concentration and many others. So how can physical therapy help with these symptoms?​

1. The first thing that will happen at PT is the therapist will evaluate the patient to see what is causing the most of their symptoms. That seems like a simple question. Concussions are very different in each person, sometimes the symptoms come from the neck or the inner ear like vertigo, or it can even come from the eyes.

2. After the therapist determines what the main cause of symptoms is; then the real work begins. Each patient will be given specific exercises to help. Some of those might be for balance, endurance, or even strength around the neck.

3. As symptoms begin to improve the therapist will start to add more exercise for the patient. If you want to get back to football or soccer you need to ease into training and practice the physical therapist will make a specific exercise program for you to follow that will allow you to return to play symptom free.

If you are someone you know has had a concussion it is good to do your research before going to physical therapy. Not all physical therapist treat concussions. When you go to therapy it is always good to ask questions. You need to feel confident it the therapists knowledge and skills. A skilled physical therapist can really help you get you Back To Life.

For more information you can go to:

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2017/3/Feature/BeyondRest/

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/